by justin strawser
It may take at least 12 years to complete, but the Lake Augusta project is expected to transforms six miles worth of local parks, walking trails and riverfronts in seven municipalities around the confluence into an attraction.
"It's a great plan. It takes pieces of land that are desirable and not developed and turns it into a tourist center," Shamokin Dam Mayor Joe McGranaghan said.
Lake Augusta is the portion of the Susquehanna River around Point Township, Upper Augusta Township, Shamokin Dam, Monroe Township, Sunbury, Northumberland and Union Township that rises each year with the inflation of the Adam T. Bower Dam, located just below the confluence of the Western and Main branches of the Susquehanna River, between Shamokin Dam and Sunbury. The fabridam provides approximately an extra 11 feet in depth for boaters.
Tom Grbenick, director of the community resource center at SEDA-COG and consultant of the project, explained the plan is for "smart transportation" - a PennDOT term that means linking transportation planning with economic development and environmental land use.
"It puts forth an overall concept for a gateway community," he said.
Most of the communities all have their own shorelines and parks along or near the river, so the idea is to simply connect these places and provide a safer way to get from one area to the next on foot, bicycle or other means of non-motorized transportation, he said.
In Sunbury, the majority of the Riverfront Project was completed along Front Street, but the plan would call for an extension of the project to both the Veterans Memorial Bridge (from the city to Shamokin Dam) and the Packer Island Bridge (from the city to Upper Augusta Township).
It would connect to Shikellamy State Park and Fantasy Island Campground on the island, which many residents use for boating and other forms of recreation.
The plan would further enhance the riverfront of Northumberland and Point Township, possibly incorporating the area in and around Pineknotter Park.
The trail would continue across the Barry King Bridge into Union Township and Shamokin Dam, connecting to the Shikellamy State Park Lookout. This area along Route 11 would be named the Lake Augusta Scenic Parkway and Overlook, and would shift the highway to the west to make space between the river and road for a trailway and scenic pull-off.
Near the Shamokin Dam end sits the Northumberland Boat Club, which is proposed to be developed into the Susquehanna River Sports Park for rowers. Many students from Bucknell and Susquehanna universities and members of Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association already use this area of the river.
The plan further connects to the fabridam park in Shamokin Dam, creating easier access from Routes 11 and 15.
There's also potential in this area to develop hotels and a visitors center. The research has shown a clear use of people an hour or more away, Grbenick said.
The plan would then finish the loop and connect Shamokin Dam back with Sunbury.
Favorable response
During a meeting Nov. 10 with various local stakeholders, including local government, private and public organizations and state agencies, Grbenick said the response was favorable.
"The plan calls for a permanent organization to spearhead guidance and advocacy," he said.
A majority of funding for the project would likely come PennDOT, but it could also be funded through a combination of public and private investments.
"The plan suggests all this could come together as part of a regional park. A state park might be the desired direction. The Shikellamy State Park is already there. It could expand," he said.
Grbenick said leadership in Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties have been "aloof in the process" and non-committal, but he understands their burdens.
But, he said, "I don't think that (county-led) is the way to go. The state park is the way to go."
'Great concept'
McGranaghan, along with borough council members in Shamokin Dam, have expressed their support for the project numerous times.
"We believe it will be good, not only for our borough, but for the area in general. It's a great concept. It will enhance a natural resource," he said.
There are also spaces to fill in the Orchard Hills shopping center since Giant moved to Monroe Marketplace. The expanded recreational element might bring in new businesses, he said.